What is Christmas burnout and how to save yourself from mental, physical and financial exhaustion?

Christmas burnout can be defined as the emotional and physical exhaustion felt during the Christmas holidays. Even though Christmas is linked to feelings of joy and celebration during holidays and related activities, people can experience burnout as a result of trying to create perfect conditions during Christmas.Factors that make it worseOne of the biggest contributing factors to Christmas burnout is the experience of heightened expectations. Whether in terms of organizing parties and gifts, as well as house decor, individuals feel as if they have to live up to certain social pressures. This can cause enough stress, alongside responsibility, that burnout ensues.Secondly, there is also emotional overload. During the holiday season, there may be complex feelings.

For example, feelings related to loneliness, loss, conflict, or memories of events in the past. One more factor that adds up to Christmas burnout is financial stress. Gift-giving, travel, entertaining, and parties may be expensive and could make a person anxious about their finances. Stress due to money troubles, apart from trying to be in the mood for holidays, may make a person feel anxious.Christmas burnout may also be experienced because one may not be resting.

This may result from staying up late, social events, traveling, and loss of routine. Eventually, the physical fatigue may impact one’s mood and temperament.Typical manifestations of Christmas burnout include irritability, feeling overwhelmed, lack of motivation, feeling emotionally numb, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and a desire to isolate from social engagements.

How to tackle Christmas burnout? To tackle Christmas burnout, you have to work on managing expectations.

It is necessary to learn to say no to invitations, simplify all events, eliminate traditions if they cause stress, and identify what gives you comfort. By managing finances and allowing yourself to be realistic and have genuine feelings, you can deal with Christmas burnout.Every individual needs to remind themselves that Christmas is a festival of joy and excitement. It is okay if everything does not go according to the plan and is not perfect. What matters more than anything is that loved ones come together and celebrate in whatever possible way there is. Burning yourself out emotionally, mentally, and physically does not mean celebration. It only leads to a person being more anxious.